Gunman storms school, threatens principal

THE Maryland RC Primary School, at Upper St Francois Valley Road off the Lady Young Road, was forced to shut its doors yesterday after a gunman threatened the principal and a teacher.As a result, the Ministry of Education has decided to have police protection at the school from tomorrow. Yesterday’s incident occurred on the first day of the resumption of classes after last week’s closure, because of problems affecting the school and comes on the heels of a report by the Auditor General which stated that security arrangements at primary schools were “ad hoc.”

Reports indicate that shortly after the start of school yesterday morning, principal Sandra Bernard was confronted by a 20-year-old man. The man reportedly cornered her in her office and threatened to kill her before police arrived on the scene. He is said to have been holding something in his pocket at the time. The man then proceeded to another room on the school’s compound and made similar threats to another teacher, reportedly brandishing a gun. The man then left the school’s compound. Newsday was told the threats came about because of a matter at the school on Monday between the principal and a member of staff. The staff member apparently expressed her disgust to a relative, who has a police record, over the issue. It is alleged that the relative decided to take matters into his own hands. Following the confrontation, children were sent home and the school closed. A report was made to the police, the Education Ministry and the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA).

Mervyn Critchlow, the ministry’s communications specialist told Newsday the incident was not witnessed by any of the school’s 140 students. He said school supervisors and counsellors responded promptly by visiting the school. The staff of eight teachers, including the principal, later attended a meeting with guidance and school social workers for most of yesterday. Critchlow said, “Today they will again receive counselling from the ministry’s employee assistance programme.” He said the school was expected to re-open tomorrow with “adequate police presence.” Oliver condemned the violent action, but commended the ministry’s quick response. He said although a guard was on duty, the compound was large and allowed for easy accessibility, unknown to the unarmed guard.

He voiced concerns about the security at the school and called for a police presence because of the location of the school, “in an isolated area.” Oliver said the teaching staff had expressed fear of returning, saying if the perpetrator was arrested he could be released on bail and return to terrorise them. Police have confirmed that an arrest was imminent. Efforts to contact Sr Catherine McComie, who is in charge of primary schools under the  Roman Catholic Education Board, proved futile. The school was closed last week because of a water problem. Earth movements have made the road to the school impassable, therefore water trucks are unable to supply the school with truck borne water. Parents protested the conditions last week asking for the ministry’s intervention. Critchlow said the school was able to re-open yesterday after repairs had been carried out on a pipe, which vandals had destroyed. He said the road was also repaired.